M5 East Motorway Reports
Despite extensive local air quality monitoring not demonstrating increased pollution levels following the opening of the tunnel NSW Health received health complaints from local residents. The M5 East health investigation aimed to determine whether symptoms reported by local residents were associated with stack emissions. The health investigation was conducted in 2 phases. In the first phase residents who felt they had symptoms caused by the stack emissions were assessed by specialist physicians. This phase enabled us to formulate a case-definition of potential stack associated health effects.
In the second phase of the investigation exposure to stack emissions for the area around the stack was modelled and households allocated to relatively low, medium and high exposure zones. Approximately 500 adult residents from each zone were surveyed during October and November 2003, and their symptoms over the previous month were recorded.
- Phase 2 Report . (This report should be read in conjunction with the Reanalysis Report.)
Subsequent to the release of the Phase 2 Report, NSW Health was made aware that significant portal emissions had occurred during the study period. This had the potential to influence the geographical pattern of pollutant distribution from the tunnels. We have reanalysed the participant responses from the Phase 2 study using re-estimated exposure to tunnel pollutants based on actual stack and portal emissions data collected over the study period.
Reports
- Assesment of In-Tunnel Air Quality -Air Quality Monitoring Project Report - M5 East Tunnels
- Investigation into the possible health impacts of the M5 East Motorway Stack - PDF (Phase 1)
- Investigation into the possible health impacts of the M5 East Motorway Stack - PDF (Phase 2)
- Investigation into the possible health impacts of the M5 East Motorway stack on the Turrella Community - Re-analysis Report